What I’ve always liked about vocalist Judy Wexler is that she sounds like a working class lady. Picture if your waitress at the diner had pitch and rhythm. This is Wexler-no histrionics, no false seduction, or pizzazz. She takes your order of Scrapple, and breaks into a song like “Convince Me” or “Laughing At Life” like it’s a normal day at Norms. Few people can sound like they’re connecting with you in that way, She also takes songs not normally associated with jazz standards. Sure, you’ve got a lovely take of the Depression Era “A Kiss To Build A Dream On,” but pieces like “The Moon Is Made of Gold” or “The Long Goodbye” and especially “Just For Now” are surprise crunchy treats in a Whitman Sampler world where most boxes are just filled with the same milk chocolates . Her sense of timing and pace is exemplified by how she keeps toe to toe with the band which includes Jeff Colella/p-arr, Larry Koonse/g, Scott Whitfield/tb, Ron Stout/tp, Bob Sheppard/bc-fl, Chris Colangelo/b, Steve Hass/dr and Billy Hulting/perc. And, just like the best of diners, you don’t realize how good it is until you miss it about an hour later for its aftertaste.
Jazzed Media